COMMUNITYHIGHLIGHTSPLAYFORD SOUTH 2011-2016

OPAL is a joint program of State and Local Governments.

Active children who make healthy eating a habit are more likely to live a healthy life. The OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) program has been working with the community in the southern suburbs of the City of Playford (2011-2016) to create all kinds of ways for children and their families to enjoy healthy eating and to have fun being active.

 OPAL has been embedded within the City of Playford using a comprehensive multi strategy approach that has been delivered across multiple sectors within the community. The OPAL team have worked in conjunction with local stakeholders to positively influence the eating and activity patterns of children and families. This photo book has been created to showcase these initiatives, and the ongoing impact they have had on communities within the City of Playford.

The goals of OPAL are brought to life in communities through annual social marketing themes. Across the five years, the community have participated in four different themes and each has prompted action around healthy eating or physical activity. These themes have included:

1. ‘Think Feet First - step, cycle, scoot to school’ – encouraging active travel to and from school and other places in the community.

2. ‘A Healthy Brekky is easy as…Peel, Pour, Pop’ – increasing the nutritional quality of breakfast.

3. Life Looks Brighter Outside’ – encouraging kids to explore local parks and playgrounds.

4. ‘Water. The Original Cool Drink’ – reducing sweetened beverage consumption.

Foreword

ContentsOPAL in City of Playford .......................................................................................... 4

The OPAL Approach ................................................................................................ 5

OPAL Themes

Theme 1: Think Feet First - step, cycle scoot to school ........................................... 9

Theme 2: A Healthy Brekky is as easy as .............................................................13

Theme 3: Life Looks Brighter Outside .................................................................17

Theme 4: Water. the Original Cool Drink ...............................................................21

Supporting the Community to Eat Well ................................................................... 25

Supporting the Community to Be Active ................................................................. 29

Community Quotes: What has OPAL has meant to you? ........................................... 32

Health and Wellbeing: an ongoing focus in the Playford community......................... 35

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JOHN RICE AVThe suburbs of Elizabeth, Elizabeth South, Elizabeth Grove, Elizabeth Vale, Elizabeth Downs, Elizabeth East, Elizabeth Park and Hillbank have been the focus of work from 2011-2016.

OPAL in City of Playford

The aim of OPAL is to improve the eating and activity patterns of children, through families and communities in OPAL regions, thereby increasing the proportion of 0-18 year olds in the healthy weight range.

A Coordinated ApproachOPAL is focused on six goals to bring about behaviour change across the community:

Healthy Eating > Healthy food choices available at

outlets > Healthy meals produced in and from

homes > Local healthy food production,

access and distribution.

Physical Activity > Active travel journeys > Active leisure participation > Use of parks, spaces and places.

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These goals were determined by reviewing the best available obesity prevention evidence from around the world, specifically related to community based interventions. The six goals are brought to life through annual social marketing themes, each focused on a single behaviour that is known to have a positive impact on healthy weight. Information and activities regarding each theme present a positive approach to challenging the social norms and practices which support the unhealthy behaviour. Themes to date have been;

> Introducing OPAL to the community

> ‘Water. The original cool drink’– reducing sweetened beverage consumption

> ‘Give the screen a rest. Active play is best’ – reducing screen time in favour of active play

> ‘Make it a fresh snack’ – encouraging the use of core food group foods as snacks instead of energy dense, nutrient poor items

> ‘Think Feet First - step, cycle, scoot to school’ – encouraging active travel to and from school

> ‘A healthy brekky is easy as....Peel Pour, Pop’ – increasing the nutritional quality of breakfast.

> ‘Life looks brighter outside’ – encouraging kids to explore local parks and playgrounds.

The goals and themes are implemented through seven strategies. This complete set of strategies, when applied in full,

The OPAL approach

Healthy OutletsHome MealsLocal Food

Active TravelParks & PlacesActive Leisure

AIM

by

GOALS

STRATEGIES

To improve eating and activity patterns of children, through familiesand communities in OPAL regions and thereby increase the proportion

of 0-18 year olds in the healthy weight range.

Increasing nutritiousfood consumption (HE) and

reducing energy dense nutrient poor (EDNP) consumption

1. Targeted Programs and Services2. Research and Evaluation3. Coordination and Partnerships4. Policy, Planning and Legislation

Increasing physical activity(PA) and reducing sedentariness

5. Infrastructure and Environments6. Awareness – Marketing7. Education – Training

THEMES:Water

Active PlayHealthy Snacks

Active TravelHealthy Brekky

Outdoor Play

ensures a comprehensive approach to health promotion. The seven strategies are;

1. To provide tailored healthy eating and physical activity Programs and Services

2. To undertake Research, Monitoring and Evaluation that informs decision making

3. To work with agencies and sectors to create Coordination and Partnerships around healthy eating and physical activity

4. To develop Policies and Plans that ensure healthy eating and physical activity are a focus for the long term

5. To develop Supportive Environments that make healthy eating and physical activity the easy choice

6. To raise Awareness about OPAL and the importance of healthy eating and physical activity

7. To provide Education and Training to raise knowledge and skills around healthy eating and physical activity.

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Over the five years OPAL has been working with the community, we have undertaken over 250 projects with a range of stakeholders. Those projects have been spread across our Goals, Themes and Strategies. The mix of projects reflects community needs and where the biggest difference could be made to healthy eating and activity levels of local children and young people. With fantastic community involvement and interest, there have been many great achievements. Many of these achievements are now permanent parts of the community that will remain after the end of OPAL.

The OPAL approach cont.

Being active every day is important for everyone and is essential for children’s health. One way for kids to get moving is to ‘Think Feet First’ and step, cycle or scoot to school and to other destinations in the community, by active travel.

THEME 1

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Bike skills education sessions Walking loops at Fremont Park

Fix and Go station at the OPAL Festival Finale event

Step, cycle, scoot in the community

Cycling and Walking StrategyOPAL has worked in conjunction with council staff and external stakeholders to develop the City of Playford Cycling and Walking Strategy. The vision of the plan is to provide the infrastructure, amenity and education to support cycling and walking as an attractive, safe and viable option for recreation and transport within the City of Playford. Through planning and the development of infrastructure, delivery of programs and targeted marketing, this strategy will continue to promote cycling and walking now and into the future.

Think Feet First Highlights > Development of walking loops

at Fremont Park and Jo Gapper Activity Park

> Pedometer challenges conducted through primary school classes with over 200 students

> ‘Think Feet First’ mural art project involving 10 local young people

The City of Playford Cycling and Walking Strategy aims to support walking and cycling as an attractive, safe and viable option.

> ‘Think Feet First’ Household Challenge was held with 37 participants who committed to swapping two car trips for active travel each week over a period of six weeks

> Walk and Ride to School events and activities

> ‘Think Feet First’ early childhood program with local kindergartens promoting and initiating walks in the local community

> Learn to ride and bike safety programs

> Upskilling of local young people in basic bike maintenance and then passing this knowledge on to the community through a Fix and Go station at the OPAL Festival Finale event in Fremont Park

> ‘Think Feet First’ theatre performances featuring Sleepy Sid and Principal Walk a Lot

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A healthy brekky is easy as… Peel a banana Pour milk on cereal Pop grainy bread in the toaster

A healthy breakfast provides a nutritious start to the day and helps with children’s learning and concentration. For a healthy brekky, simply peel a banana, pour low fat milk on high fibre cereal or pop grainy bread in the toaster.

THEME 2

a banana

milk on cerealgrainy bread in the toaster

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Healthy breakfast promotion in supermarkets

OPAL Smoothie Bike

Healthy breakfast promotion with Central District Football Club Breakfast cereal displays

Peel Pour Pop Program for Early ChildhoodThe aim of the program was to encourage children to eat a nutritious breakfast each day and familiarise them with a range of different healthy breakfast foods through guided sensory exploration. It was also about encouraging parents and caregivers to purchase, provide and role model healthy breakfast behaviours in the home environment. A total of 690 children participated in the program from 11 early childhood sites across the City of Playford during 2013.

Brekky theme highlights > Development of a healthier menu

at the Fremont Elizabeth City High School breakfast program

> Working with the Playford Food Co-operatives to create low cost healthy breakfast packs

> Conducting breakfast tasting sessions at local primary schools

> Hosting five performances of the ‘Peel, Pour, Pop’ healthy brekky theatre performance, reaching over 1,200 children and caregivers

> Placing wobbler labels and recipe cards in local supermarkets to assist shoppers to choose healthy breakfast options.

> Putting up displays in key locations comparing the cost and nutritional quality of healthy verses unhealthy breakfast choices.

Using the OPAL Smoothie Bike, local children and families used ‘pedal power’ to make over 8,000 healthy smoothies at over 90 community events, during 2013-2015.

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‘Life looks brighter outside’ reminds families that being outdoors can be a real adventure and is lots of fun! It promotes the fun of visiting local parks and playgrounds and so children can enjoy active games and connecting with the natural environment.

Families are encouraged to make time for active play after school and on the weekends to enable children to explore the great outdoors in their local parks and places.

THEME 3

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Nature play in local parks

Kindy in the Park

Walking loops at Jo Gapper Activity Park

Food and Fun in the Park

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Geocaching and Fun Kits at the LibraryOPAL worked closely with the Playford Library Service to encourage outdoor play through promoting Geocaching and supplying GPS units that could be loaned free to community members wishing to go ‘treasure hunting’. New ‘Fun Kits 4 Kids’ were also added to the libraries’ catalogue, containing new toys and equipment and exploration kits to support kids and families to get outside and enjoy spending time together.

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868 children and parents attended ‘Food and Fun in the Parks’ events across various locations, during 2013 - 2016.

Nature Play grants OPAL provided grant funding to three early childhood sites and three primary schools to assist them to make improvements to their outdoor environments, which would encourage physical activity and skill development through nature play activities.

Kindy in the ParkOver 200 children and parents from local kindergartens took to the park instead of the classroom, at two events hosted by OPAL to promote the Life Looks Brighter Outside theme.

Nature Play Pilot Site at Pipkin ReserveOPAL consulted with over 80 children and parents, collecting ideas about what they would like to see in a nature-inspired play space. Pipkin Reserve in Elizabeth East was identified as a pilot site for nature play upgrades, which came about following staff and educator workshops by international expert on nature play, Adam Bienenstock. The upgrade designs were informed by community feedback and included elements for children to climb, hide, slide and balance. Parents also suggested additional places to sit and a variety of activities for their children to engage in. Construction will be completed in 2016, with the nature play space the first of its kind for the City of Playford.

Fresh, clean tap water is the first drink of choice as it is a free, accessible and a thirst-quenching drink for everyone. Water is the best drink to rehydrate, making it the Original Cool Drink!

THEME 4

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Sugar sweetened drinks display at the Elizabeth Downs Food Cooperative

Testing the pH of drinks at the Healthy Living Festival

OPAL drinking water fountain at Burgate Reserve OPAL drinking water fountain at the skate park

Installation of Drinking Water FountainsOver the years, OPAL has supported the installation of nine drinking water fountains across the City of Playford making free, clean drinking water more accessible to the community. Locations include the Mayfair Ride Safe Park, Smithfield Oval, Fremont Park, Stebonheath Park, Burgate Reserve, Jo Gapper Activity Park, Argana Park, the Elizabeth skate park and the Playford Civic Centre.

Promoting Water in the CommunityOPAL has been a strong advocate for children and families having access to drinking water. This has been achieved through various activities including; sponsoring water stations, providing water tastings and education at events, supplying drink bottles to local kids participating in school or early childhood programs or sport, healthy catering policy implementation, and sugary drink displays at the Civic Centre Library and Playford Food Cooperative.

OPAL has involved four local clubs and a sports association in the Sugar Free Sports Clubs project. Parents, children and coaches are encouraged to replace sugary drinks with water before, during and after junior sports training and games.

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Water DetectivesThree early childhood sites, equating to over 90 children participated in the four week ‘Water Detectives’ educational program. Educators from participating sites reported an increased in children’s awareness about the importance of drinking water for healthy bodies.

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SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO EAT WELL

Healthier kids menus launch Healthy food options at events

Edible garden programs Kids in the Kitchen cooking classes

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Healthy Outlets The ‘Fresh Picks for Kids’ project was implemented at five local food outlets across the City of Playford to increase the number of healthy choices on children’s menus. The project was piloted at the 42nd Street Café (at Elizabeth Shopping Centre), Grand Central Bistro, Midway Tavern, Elizabeth Tavern and the Playford Tavern. The new menu items were designed by celebrity cook Callum Hann and Dietitian Themis Chryssidis from Sprout Cooking with the venues to include tasty options such as a Moroccan chicken, grilled fish, chicken stir-fry, penne bolognese and kids salads. The changes to menus support children and families to eat well by providing opportunities for them to make healthy choices when eating out at local food outlets.

OPAL has supported three local primary schools to improve their canteen menus by including healthier choices at affordable prices that are in line with the State Government’s Right Bite policy.

Home Meals Over 300 children have attended the monthly Kids in the Kitchen classes and learnt cooking and food preparation skills to assist them in choosing and making a variety of healthy snacks and meals.

Local children and parents have pedalled over 8,350 healthy smoothies with the OPAL Smoothie Bike which has attended over 95 community events, during 2013-2016.

The ‘Eat a Rainbow’ program for early childhood aims to increase the consumption fruit and vegetables of 2-5 year olds by encouraging them to eat different colours of the rainbow each day, creating good habits which will positively influence food choices during later years. The program uses exploration and tasting activities that expose children to a variety of fruit and veggies in a fun, positive and safe environment and was implemented in 16 kindergartens and childcare centres across the Playford South catchment area between 2012-2014.

Over 100 students participated in the Peer Leadership programs at Elizabeth South, East and Vale primary schools. The program taught students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and current recommendations for a healthy diet and physical activity. The program also equipped them with the skills to become ‘healthy lifestyle’ leaders within the school who were involved in planning and implementing health promoting activities for their peers.

Local FoodIn the Playford South catchment area, OPAL has supported the establishment of edible gardens at three schools, five kindergartens and childcare centres, the Midway Road Community Centre and the Playford Civic Centre Library. These gardens have provided an invaluable tool for teaching local children and families about growing fruit and vegetables and healthy eating and also provide a ‘hands on’ experience in the garden.

Twelve Magic Harvest programs have been conducted from 10 different hub sites across the City of Playford. Over 280 children and parents have been involved in the programs and learnt about growing, harvesting and preparing vegetables that they have grown in their own yards. Additionally, over 40 local community members and staff have been trained as hub coordinators to facilitate the programs.

OPAL in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders, developed ‘Healthy Local Food in the City of Playford’ - a four year strategic plan that aims to improve the production, distribution, accessibility and availability of healthy food across the City of Playford. The plan recognises what Council already does to contribute to community wellbeing in relation to local food and identifies areas for action which can further improve outcomes for the community.

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SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO BE ACTIVE

Promoting outdoor play at events Fun kits for kids

Food and Fun in the Park at Winston Reserve Learning to ride sessions

Active LeisureIn partnership with the Healthy Communities Reshaping Playford project, OPAL developed walking loops and signage at Fremont Park, after the need for improved signage was identified during community consultation. One and two kilometre walking and cycling loops were marked with bollards showing distances and large signage maps were installed to highlight the loops as well as the other assets of the park including the exercise equipment.

The Footpath Art Project involved over 120 local children and parents in the designing and implementation of footpath artwork in the forecourt area of the Elizabeth Rise Community Centre. The designs chosen encourage active play and also create a welcoming, child-friendly environment to those visiting the space.

OPAL led the community consultation for the redevelopment of Secombe Street Reserve. The project is a partnership between the City of

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Active TravelOPAL played a key role in the development of the City of Playford Cycling and Walking Strategy to ensure the community is well connected and make it easier for residents to walk or cycle to key locations throughout the city, including linking facilities of the Playford City Sports Precinct.

Mayfair Reserve was redeveloped into a Ride Safe Park where kids could learn to safely ride their bikes, in 2015 the park received further upgrades including a water fountain, sheltered picnic setting and gives kids and families more things to do whilst visiting the park.

Playford, Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation and Anglicare SA and will provide opportunities and for local children to participate in sporting activities.

Over 120 education and community workers have attended OPAL professional development sessions across the year on topics such as nature play and outdoor play and approximately 150 people attended the screening of Project Wild Thing, an inspiring documentary about the challenges of reconnecting children with nature.

Parks and PlacesOPAL has worked on a number of projects to support the community to be active in local parks and playgrounds. OPAL has been involved in consultation activities which have allowed the community to influence the design and facilities included in reserve upgrades. Some of the highlights include the walking trails and upgrades to the Jo Gapper Activity Park and Playford’s first ever nature play space at Pipkin Reserve.

“The OPAL Playford South project has been a great extension of the work that we started in the Playford North area in 2009. The OPAL South Project allowed us to extend the project area, the reach of the brand and the OPAL themes. OPAL is now widely recognised as a program in Playford that has achieved real and sustainable outcomes including increasing physical activity and healthy food and drink choices. Playford Council are now embedding a health focus across all Council projects and activities and have committed to the ongoing provision of two dedicated health positions. This work would not have occurred without the strong foundations laid through OPAL and the partnerships formed with SA Health. Whilst it is sad to see the end of this OPAL journey there is a long lasting legacy in the relationships and organisational partnerships formed throughout the project and the ‘on-the ground’ projects designed and delivered in partnership with the community.”

Amy Matthews Manager Community Development, City of Playford

Community Quotes: What has OPAL has meant to you?

“The City of Playford is committed to supporting children, young people and families in the community to eat well and be active. Over the past five years, the OPAL initiative in the City of Playford has achieved many positive outcomes through working in partnership with the community and key agencies. Some of these outcomes and stories are reflected in this booklet. We are exceptionally proud of these achievements and are grateful for the support from the community in making OPAL ‘come to life’. The City of Playford will continue to support healthy living through plans, policies and initiatives that enable improved access to healthy food choices and an environment that supports the community to be active.”

Glenn Docherty Mayor, City of Playford

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“OPAL has brought an extra level of knowledge, skills and professionalism to the Playford Community, supporting individuals and services to live healthier more active lifestyles. We have enjoyed working in partnership with the OPAL team for more than 4 years now and they have been a vital link to activating outdoor spaces. More recently we have worked in partnership with OPAL on a Nature Play pilot project engaging school children and the wider community to ensure children’s voices are taking into consideration when creating these spaces.

Children and families in the Playford community recognise the OPAL branding and the key messages they have delivered have stayed with families. The team will be greatly missed by the services and community in the Playford area.”

Sam Haskard and Leonie Fuchs Anglicare SA Playford Communities for Children Plus

“Our relationship with OPAL at Elizabeth Grove Primary School has been a journey of opportunities and support in many programs. We have taken part in healthy eating, fundraising with the smoothie bike, training and development in the Magic Harvest Program, staying fit and healthy with pedometer challenges and encouraging our students in creative play in our Nature Play Program to name few. OPAL provided the foundation for many of these programs, which we then were able to adapt, transform and moderate for our school and local community. OPAL staff were always enthusiastic, supportive and informative and because of these factors our relationship with the teams continued to grow. We at Elizabeth Grove Primary School say ‘Thank you’ OPAL!!”

Lisa Linnell Teacher, Elizabeth Grove Primary School

Health and Wellbeing: an ongoing focus in the Playford communityThere are many ways in which OPAL has contributed to improving health outcomes for the Playford community. Much of this work has focused on building the skills and capacity of organisations and the community, implementation of infrastructure to support health and changes in practices and policies. All of these things will remain in the community as ongoing ways in which Playford is supported to eat well and be active.

SA Health is committed to an ongoing partnership with local Councils through the implementation of the public health plan which will result in ongoing work to improve the health and wellbeing of the community.

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Dedicated resources including staffing and funding will be allocated to progressing the priority areas of the State Public Health Plan, ‘South Australia: A better place to live’. In particular, these resources will be utilized to progress priorities in relation to ‘Stronger and Healthier Communities and Neighbourhoods for All Generations’ and ‘Increasing Opportunities for Healthy Living, Healthy Eating and Being Active’.

This will be achieved through ongoing implementation of key Council plans such as the City of Playford Healthy Local Food Plan, Cycling and Walking Strategy and Healthy Food and Drink Choices policy.

The OPAL team in the City of Playford would like to thank and acknowledge the many agencies that have worked together to create such a positive initiative. Most importantly, the team would like to thank the children,

young people and families that have been involved in OPAL activities over the past 5 years. The enthusiasm and ongoing support from the community has been inspiring. The OPAL legacy is the achievement of all the children, families and partners who worked with OPAL to create more opportunities

for local children to enjoy eating well and being active every day.

For more information about the City of Playford visit www.playford.sa.gov.auor for more information about OPAL visit www.opal.sa.gov.au

Printed May 2016. FIS G375-4

OPAL is a joint program of State and Local Governments.